Quick Facts
Born:
1964-11-29
Birthplace:
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Credits:
166 Total Roles
Don Cheadle
Acting
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Biography
Donald Frank Cheadle Jr. (born November 29, 1964) is an American actor. Known for his roles in film and television, he has received multiple accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, two Grammy Awards, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and 11 Primetime Emmy Awards. He is among a few actors who have received nominations for the EGOT.
Cheadle's career started with supporting roles in Hamburger Hill (1987), Colors (1988), Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), Rosewood (1997), Boogie Nights (1997), and Bulworth (1998). He collaborated with director Steven Soderberghacting in Out of Sight (1998), Traffic (2000), The Ocean's Trilogy (2001–2007), and No Sudden Move (2021). Cheadle was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying Paul Rusesabagina in the historical drama film Hotel Rwanda (2004). He was the co-producer of Crash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2005. Cheadle joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe portraying James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine, beginning with Iron Man 2 (2010).
On television, Cheadle earned nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his roles as Marty Kaan in House of Lies (2012–2016) and Maurice Monroe in Black Monday (2019–2021). He was further Emmy-nominated for The Rat Pack (1998), A Lesson Before Dying (1999), Things Behind the Sun (2001), ER (2002), and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
In 2016, he received his first Grammy Award, winning Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for Miles Ahead's soundtrack. In 2022, he received a second Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for his narration of the audiobook Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation from John Lewis; he also received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Cheadle's career started with supporting roles in Hamburger Hill (1987), Colors (1988), Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), Rosewood (1997), Boogie Nights (1997), and Bulworth (1998). He collaborated with director Steven Soderberghacting in Out of Sight (1998), Traffic (2000), The Ocean's Trilogy (2001–2007), and No Sudden Move (2021). Cheadle was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying Paul Rusesabagina in the historical drama film Hotel Rwanda (2004). He was the co-producer of Crash, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2005. Cheadle joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe portraying James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine, beginning with Iron Man 2 (2010).
On television, Cheadle earned nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his roles as Marty Kaan in House of Lies (2012–2016) and Maurice Monroe in Black Monday (2019–2021). He was further Emmy-nominated for The Rat Pack (1998), A Lesson Before Dying (1999), Things Behind the Sun (2001), ER (2002), and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
In 2016, he received his first Grammy Award, winning Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for Miles Ahead's soundtrack. In 2022, he received a second Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for his narration of the audiobook Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation from John Lewis; he also received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Known For
Avengers: Infinity War
James Rhodes / War Machine
Avengers: Endgame
James Rhodes / War Machine
Avengers: Age of Ultron
James Rhodes / War Machine
Captain America: Civil War
Lieutenant James Rhodes / War Machine
Iron Man 3
Colonel James Rhodes
Iron Man 2
Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes
Captain Marvel
James 'Rhodey' Rhodes / War Machine (uncredited)
Ocean's Eleven
Basher Tarr (uncredited)
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | I Love Boosters MOVIE | Self |
| 2025 | Number One on the Call Sheet TV | Self |
| 2024 | The Real Full Monty MOVIE | Self (uncredited) |
| 2024 | Unstoppable MOVIE | Coach Shawn Charles |
| 2024 | Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist TV | JD Hudson |
| 2024 | Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics MOVIE | Self |
| 2023 | Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Secret Invasion MOVIE | Self - 'Rhodey' |
| 2023 | Secret Invasion TV | James 'Rhodey' Rhodes |
| 2023 | Agent Elvis TV | The Commander (voice) |
| 2022 | White Noise MOVIE | Murray Siskind |